The Oxfordshire town of Bicester has been earmarked for substantial expansion in the coming years, with a number of major housing schemes supported by other development and infrastructure improvements, including a new railway line.

In December 2014, the government announced Bicester as its second “garden city” site (following Ebbsfleet in north Kent), with up to 13,000 new homes planned, which will substantially increase its current population of just over 30,000.

The appeal of a spacious and well-specified new home in the Oxfordshire countryside, which still allows a tolerable daily journey into work, is likely to appeal to many homeowners and frustrated would-be buyers in London.

Two of the major areas around Bicester where homes are already taking root are in Kingsmere in the south-west and Heyford Park in west, the latter a site of over 1,200 acres that will retain some of its fascinating heritage as a former air force base as well as providing an expansive new village just a few miles from the town centre.

Over 60 miles from London, Bicester is just within the 60-minute commute that most London workers would consider reasonable, and it is roughly equidistant from Birmingham, too. The M40 passes close to the town – another link between London and the West Midlands, while it is around 40 minutes to the M1, bringing many East Midlands destinations within reach.

Bicester has two stations, both travelling into Marylebone. Bicester North is on the line from Birmingham, with a journey time from 50 minutes into the capital (£446 per month, £4,648 annually), 35 minutes into Warwick (£215 per month, £2,240 per year) and 65 minutes in Snow Hill (£334 monthly, £3,476 yearly).

Bicester Village serves the town’s popular retail outlet centre and lies on the new route that will, from 2016, reach Oxford. The fastest journey time into London is shorter than from Bicester North (from 46 minutes) but the season tickets are more expensive (£521 per month and £5,428 per year).

The town is also on the route of a proposed “East-West” railway that would link Oxford to the main line at Milton Keynes and on to Bedford and eventually Cambridge, though this is not expected to be achieved for at least a decade.

New homes for sale in Bicester now or coming soon:

Springfield Farm (Bloor Homes) – This collection of four- and five-bedroom homes, priced from £475,000, is just three miles from Bicester town centre, in the village of Ambrosden, which has a useful mix of shops and a good primary school. Help to Buy is available to those in need of a low-deposit deal. Find out more on WhatHouse? ; 01869 240054

Heyford Park (Dorchester Living) – Taking shape on the former RAF Upper Heyford base, just eight miles west of Bicester, is this new village that will eventually have 700 homes. Prices currently start at £267,995 for a two-bedroom house. A third phase (The Village Green Collection and The Square) has recently been launched, following sales success on the first two phases. Find out more at 01869 238238 and check out our recent interview with Dorchester Living chief Paul Silver.

Kingsmere (Bellway/Bovis Homes/Linden Homes/Persimmon) – These four major housebuilders are combining forces to build this extension to Bicester, taking place to the south-west of the town. Nearly 2,500 new homes will be served by brand new amenities such as a local centre, primary and secondary schools, sports facilities and an employment zone. Find out more at www.kingsmere-bicester.com

Elmsbrook (FABRICA) – Just one five-bedroom, three-bathroom house is currently for sale here, priced at £515,000. This development is located in Caversfield, just to the north of Bicester, with a mix of properties with from two to five bedrooms and a specification which includes Siemens appliances and Villeroy and Boch sanitaryware. Find out more at 01869 691000.

Alchester Park (Hill) – Comprising a mix of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes, this development in Chesterton is situated next to a community centre and sports fields and within walking distance of the highly rated Chesterton C of E Primary School. Current availability of three- and four-bedroom houses starts at £362,500. Find out more at on WhatHouse? ; 01869 357994